MEET KAREN

Karen Abel

Historian • Author • Expedition Leader

Karen Abel has spent more than a decade researching, documenting, and sharing the history of Alaska’s WWII Aleutian Campaign. Her work combines archival research with extensive field exploration throughout the Aleutian Islands, including Attu, Kiska, Atka, and Umnak.

Connection to History

A Royal Canadian Air Force Associate Historian, Karen has worked in partnership with the Aleutian World War II National Historic Area on historical research, museum exhibits, veteran reunions, commemorative events, and veteran and family outreach. She is the author of WWII Aircraft of the Aleutians, produced for the National Park Service, and has presented the history of the Aleutian Campaign to audiences across the country.

Today, Karen leads historical expeditions through the Aleutian Islands, connecting archival research and human stories with the landscapes where the history unfolded.

Her connection to this history, however, began much closer to home.

Karen Abel

Experience & Work

IN THE FIELD

More than a decade of field research throughout the Aleutian Islands.

PRESERVING THEIR HISTORY

Research, remembrance, and work with veterans, families, museums, and historical partners.

SHARING THE HISTORY

Writing, speaking, historical interpretation, and public programs.

FEATURED PUBLICATION

World War II Aircraft of the Aleutians

By Karen Abel · Produced in partnership with the National Park Service

Explore the aircraft, airfields, and people who carried the war into one of the most remote and demanding aviation environments of World War II.Created in partnership with the Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area, World War II Aircraft of the Aleutians is available free of charge from the National Park Service.

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Request a Free Copy

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SPEAKING & COLLABORATION

Bring Alaska's Forgotten Front to Your Audience

Karen is available for select speaking engagements, historical presentations, interviews, educational programs, and collaborative projects related to Alaska's WWII Aleutian Campaign.

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THE STORY

WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ALL BEGAN?

The journey began with a family connection, a forgotten chapter of the war, and a question that led me back to Alaska.

From a personal connection grew a larger mission:
to bring Alaska's overlooked wartime stories back into view.

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